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Google Tag Manager Basics: Getting Started

Tap through each step to see the basics of getting started with Google Tag Manager.

  1. Create a GTM account and container

    Create an account at tagmanager.google.com, then set up a container for the specific website you want to manage.

  2. Install the container snippet

    You'll be given two code snippets -- paste one into your site's <head> section and the other right after the opening <body> tag.

  3. Create a tag

    In the 'Tags' section, register the tracking code you want to run, such as a Google Analytics tag or an ad pixel, as a new tag.

  4. Set a trigger

    A trigger defines the condition for when a tag fires, such as a page load or a click on a specific button -- set this to match when you want the tag to run.

  5. Test it in preview mode

    Clicking 'Preview' opens Tag Assistant, which lets you check whether the tag is actually firing as intended on your live site.

  6. Submit to publish

    Once testing is done, click 'Submit' to push the changes live on your actual site.

  7. Why is this useful?

    Tag Manager lets you add and manage a variety of tracking codes directly from its interface, without needing to ask a developer every time you want to make a change.

A container is a workspace, not just a code snippet

It's easy to think of Tag Manager as just a way to avoid editing site code directly, but the real value is in the workspace it gives you: tags, triggers, and variables that you can combine, test, and roll back independently of a developer's release cycle.

Always test in preview mode before publishing

Preview mode shows you exactly which tags fired on which pages, using real browsing on your actual site, before any change goes live. Skipping this step is one of the most common ways a broken or duplicate tag ends up affecting real analytics data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one tag using the same trigger?

Yes -- a single trigger, such as 'all pages loaded,' can be attached to multiple tags at once, so you don't need a separate trigger for every tag if the firing condition is the same.

Do changes in Tag Manager go live immediately after I make them?

No -- changes only take effect on your live site after you click 'Submit' to publish a new version. Until then, you can test freely in preview mode without affecting real visitors.